On Tuesday, October 3rd, Marine Dynamics received a call from Louis October, a farmer from Elim. Louis was very concerned about a blue crane he had found on his farm the evening before, struggling to walk and unable to fly. Senior Bird Rehabilitator from the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, Xolani Lawu, immediately set out to collect the injured bird. The farm road was barely accessible due to the recent storms and heavy rains that the Overstrand had experienced, but Xolani pushed ahead, knowing that the bird needed to be collected urgently.
Upon arrival at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS), Dr. Liezl Pretorius examined the blue crane and found no bone fractures or signs of disease. According to Dr. Pretorius, the crane was most probably hurt during the heavy storms, thus growing weaker by the day. It was unable to stand up on its legs and incapable of moving forward without using its wings to do so. Dr. Pretorius got in touch with various wildlife veterinary colleagues- and experts for support in the treatment of the blue crane.
After two weeks of treatment, love, encouragement, garden snails, and the expertise of our Marine Dynamics and APSS team, the blue crane could be released on the same farm in Elim. Thank you so much to Louise October for alerting us about this blue beauty and for continuously asking about his progress. We are happy to be able to release him back with his flock!
Go well, Bluey! We’ve learned so much from you and will miss your regal call and attitude. We absolutely understand why you are our national bird! Fly high.
